“Russia accused of violating grain deal with Ukraine, blocking Pivdennyi port exports”

The government in Kyiv accuses Russia of breaking the terms of the grain deal. According to Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Reconstruction Yuri Vaskov, Russia does not allow ships to sail to the port city of Pivdennyi.

Vaskov speaks of a ‘gross violation’ of the grain deal. Under the agreement, Russia guarantees the safe export of grains and foodstuffs across the Black Sea from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi.

The grain deal was signed by Russia and Ukraine last July and extended for two months last week. But Russia has not allowed grain ships to Pivdennyi, the largest port of the three in terms of throughput, for a month, according to Vaskov.

“Russia has found an effective way to exclude Ukrainian grain exports through Pivdennyi port,” he said. Vaskov to Reuters news agency. According to him, Russian inspectors have been refusing to check ships since April 29, a condition of the deal, which Pivdennyi as destination.

The United Nations, which brokered the deal and its extension together with Turkey, also expressed concern yesterday that Pivdennyi has not been reached by Ukrainian grain ships since May 2. Moscow denies blocking grain exports.

Tom Kieft